Ford Kenya secretary general Dr. Murumba Chikati(left),Majority Whip ,Senator David Wakoli (center)and Webuye East MP Martin Pepela(Investor)at Wakoli’s office….Photo/IP

NAIROBI, Kenya

Bungoma Senator CBS David Wakoli on Tuesday said Ford–Kenya has embarked on a major rebranding drive aimed at revitalizing its grassroots structures and positioning the party to spearhead President William Ruto’s re-election campaign in 2027.

“Today, I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. John Murumba Chikati, MP Tongaren and Secretary General of Ford Kenya, together with Hon. Martin Wanyonyi, MP for Webuye East, who paid me a courtesy call at my office,” Wakoli said in a statement that set the tone for the party’s renewed push.

“Our discussions were focused on the ongoing rebranding of our party and, most importantly, the need to remain anchored in the core values that define Ford Kenya — integrity, service, and unwavering commitment to the people. As we move forward, we are rolling out more ward-level activities to reconnect with the grassroots, listen to our people, and strengthen our structures from the ground up. Ford Kenya remains strong, focused, and ready to serve.”

The rebranding comes at a delicate moment for the party, which has faced growing competition in its traditional Western Kenya strongholds.

In the recent Chwele/Kabuchai ward contest in Bungoma County — the political backyard of party leader Moses Wetang’ula — Ford Kenya posted a dismal performance, raising concerns among supporters about waning dominance in a region it has controlled since the return of multiparty politics in 1992.

Political observers say the setback has energized internal calls for renewal as new political formations reshape the region’s landscape.

Among them is the TAWE movement spearheaded by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, which has been gaining traction among younger voters.

At the same time, the “Mimi ndio Sifuna” wave linked to Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has stirred debate across Western Kenya, challenging Ford Kenya’s long-held influence.

A Ford Kenya supporter in Bungoma said the rebranding is intended to blunt what he described as an “opposition wave” sweeping across the region.

“This rebranding is expected to counter the opposition wave and remind people that Ford Kenya is the original party of the region,” he said. “We cannot allow new slogans and movements to erase decades of political organization.”

Another party member said Ford Kenya is preparing to capitalize on potential shifts within the opposition, particularly within Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).

“With the changes happening in ODM after the death of the political enigma Raila Odinga, there is space to harvest the fallout,” he said. “We are reorganizing to welcome new members and allow the youth to take leadership roles in the party founded by the late veteran politician Masinde Muliro and the late Vice President Michael Wamalwa.”

Party officials said grassroots elections within Ford Kenya are expected to begin in April, a move seen as critical to rebuilding structures from the ward level upward.

Supporters also indicated that Ford Kenya is preparing to form coalitions with like-minded parties to consolidate a regional voting bloc in support of Ruto’s second-term bid.

“The strategy is to build a solid Western Kenya block vote for the President,” another supporter said. “We are open to coalitions with leaders who share our development agenda.”

Already, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka — who serves as the party’s deputy leader — has been appointed to coordinate President Ruto’s Western Kenya campaign machinery.

Wetang’ula and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi are expected to campaign on the national front alongside the President.

Analysts say the coming months will test whether Ford Kenya’s rebranding can restore its standing in a region where political loyalties are increasingly fluid and youth-driven movements are reshaping the balance of power.